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-Information courtesy Jane King, Community Partners of Hope

Community Partners of Hope has had to navigate some new obstacles this year, but with your help, we will continue to offer services to homeless men both in the emergency men’s shelter and in Hope House.

However, there will be some big changes for the upcoming shelter season which are necessary to keep everyone as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.

VOLUNTEERS

We will not be able to use volunteers for supervision this year. Even with the strictest safety guidelines, we need to minimize the number of people who come into contact with our guests at the shelter, so we will depend on a minimum number of paid staff to cover all shifts and provide backup in case someone is not able to work a shift. This puts an added burden on our budget, so it would help greatly if you would consider donating money instead of your time as a volunteer this year.

MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY

The maximum occupancy for the 2020-2021 season will be six men. In order to maintain a minimum safe distance, we cannot house the 10-12 men we have had over the past year. This allows room for an adequate distance between sleeping spaces as well as during meals, showers, etc. To accomplish this we will limit stays to a maximum of 14 days. If a man still needs shelter after a seven-day break, he may return for another 14 days if there is room.

Health guidelines will be strictly enforced and if a man refuses to comply, he will be asked to leave. Where we have tried to be lenient in the past, the health and safety of our residents and staff require us to be very strict this year.

MEALS

We will still be asking people to sign up to bring meals, but in order to prevent the spread of germs, we are asking that volunteers bring eight meals served in take-out trays and/or lunch bags. Individual bottles of water, tea, or juice will be greatly appreciated.   Each man will receive his meal without touching any other person’s food. You can remain in your car when you bring the meal and someone will come out to get the food.

There are a few restaurants that will provide meals occasionally, but we need volunteers to pick those up and deliver to the shelter. If you know of a restaurant to add to our list, please contact me. Breakfast will consist of cereal bars, juice boxes, etc. that can be bagged for the men to take as they leave.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Everyone in the shelter MUST wear a mask over their mouth and nose except when eating, showering, or sleeping. Hand washing and social distancing will be enforced. Anyone who does not comply will be asked to leave.

We have asked the Health Department for guidance on cleaning, and we are exploring additional safeguards including an air handling system to circulate and disinfect the air in the shelter.

HOPE HOUSE

Our resident capacity will be limited to no more than four men. We have three men in Hope House at the moment, and the oversight committee is reviewing applications to accept one new resident. During this pandemic, we believe it safest to have only two men in each bedroom, and we are keeping the single room free in case of a need to quarantine.

The Hope House residents are following safety guidelines and keeping the house sanitized as much as possible.

DONATIONS

Here is a list of the most needed items:

• Socks – white tube socks – not short socks or dress socks
• Underwear – boxers and tee-shirts in sizes L, XL, 2X, and 3X
• Thermal underwear – prefer black waffle weave – sizes L, XL, 2X, and 3X
• Gloves – waterproof, please – not knitted
• Shower shoes
• Hand sanitizer in small bottles that men can carry in their pocket
• Disposable razors
• Toothpaste – sample sizes
• Soap – travel sizes
• Laundry pods – eliminates the problem of not measuring powder or liquid properly
• Tall Kitchen Trash Bags (13 Gallon Size)
• Pine-sol type cleaner – gallon containers
• Spray shower cleaner (scrubbing bubbles or similar item)
• Paper Towels
• Bleach
• Clorox spray cleaner plus bleach

We cannot accept used clothing, bedding, or other items. New items should be delivered in their original packaging.

Please do not bring donations to the shelter! Needed items can be delivered to WIZS radio station or to the First Presbyterian Church office in Henderson on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Please contact Jane King at (252) 432-9494 to make other arrangements.

CONTRIBUTIONS

All contributions are tax-deductible.

Checks may be made out to CPOH and mailed to: Community Partners of Hope, PO Box 1791, Henderson, NC 27536

PRAYERS

As always, we need your prayers. Please include our ministry on your church’s prayer list and encourage others to learn more about and pray for our guests, our staff, and all who make this possible.